TRAINS between Stockport and Manchester will be derailed for seven weeks next year as the line gets an overhaul.

Railtrack are looking at the total closure of the West Coast Mainline into Manchester due to re-signalling and track renewals.

For the opening week of work - earmarked for autumn 2003 - there will be no trains into Piccadilly and passengers will use buses at either Wilmslow or Cheadle Hulme.

For the remaining six weeks, a limited service will operate as a more modern signalling system and simpler track layout are implemented.

However, the first phase of the works, commissioning the signalling at Cheadle Hulme, will happen in September this year and will involve diversions for about three days.

Railtrack is currently in talks with operators including Arriva, First North Western and Virgin, among others.

Works general manager Tony Fletcher told manchesteronline: ''We recognise that this proposed work will cause inconvenience to both local communities and inter city travellers.

''In making this proposal well advance, we are trying to reach an agreement with the train operators and other industry partners that will result in the least disruption to passengers.

''We must keep in mind that we can only complete this vital project if we get access to the track. The alternatives to this proposal are a long series of partial closures and protracted on going disruption.''

Lindsay Vamplew, the projects head of delivery, said: ''What we are doing will keep the railway going for at least another 30 years.''